[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/11/16/christianetom.jpg caption caption="Sr. Writer for Amanpour, Tom Evans, works on scripts with Christiane"]
On AMANPOUR. today, we focus on the rising tensions this year between the U.S. and China. As the U.S. enters a rough patch in relations with this rising power over arms sales to Taiwan, a much delayed meeting between President Obama and the Dalai Lama, and the Google censoring dispute, are we witnessing a realignment of global power? How should the rest of the world respond to the shifting tectonic plates in the U.S.-China relationship? China and the U.S. top our roundup of the top stories of the day. Here are some perspectives.
Tom Evans
Sr. Writer, AMANPOUR.
CHINA/U.S. – What lies behind the growing friction between Washington and China?
– Beijing today hits back at U.S. on trade and economic policy, saying its currency is at a reasonable level and American companies are not at a disadvantage in China
– Washington and China already at loggerheads over other issues, such as Tibet, arms sales to Taiwan, and censorship and hacking targeting Google
– China’s economy, which weathered recession far better than the U.S. and Europe, is poised to overtake Japan as the world’s number two this year
QUESTION: Is China’s growing assertiveness on the world stage the beginning of a new era in China’s relations not just with the U.S. but the rest of the world as well?
RUSSIA – Will Russia ever become a Western-style democracy?
– Think-tank set up by President Dmitry Medvedev calls for more democracy in Russia, end to censorship, and Russian membership of NATO
– Institute of Contemporary Development says Russia at a crossroads in its history, facing choice between becoming a modern country or losing its status as a great power
– Economic crisis has hit Russia hard, raising concerns about its dependence on energy sector and leading to increasing anxiety among Russian people about their future
QUESTION: Will recommendations of think-tank carry any weight given real power in Russia arguably wielded not by President Medvedev but Prime Minister Vladimir Putin?
AFGHANISTAN –Will new “pay-for-peace” plan for Taliban work any better than in the past?
– NATO Secy.-Gen. Anders Fogh Rasmussen says alliance plan to convince Taliban members to defect to the government is not a bribe, dismissing criticism of the proposal
– He said many Taliban fight for only small amounts of money. “What is on offer to them is a chance of a new life”, he added
– Critics say pay-for-peace plans have been on the table for many years, but have generally not worked and insurgency has expanded
QUESTION: What are the next steps in this much heralded plan, a plan that the Taliban leadership has already ridiculed?